10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Stockholm

An archipelago crossing is truly a wonderful way to experience the gorgeous nature which surrounds Stockholm. The range is enormous and you can choose between crossings which stop off at multiple islands or which offer entertainment, a prawn buffet, a 3-course dinner and much more. If you're short on time, there are crossings which run for just a few hours where you will visit one of the closer islands or perhaps just spend a moment onboard in the sea air. But you can also opt for voyages which last several days and visit islands teetering on the outer reaches of the archipelago.

Your experience will largely depend on the type of boat you choose, with charming old steam boats from the turn of the century, stately sail boats and more modern vessels all offering forays into the archipelago. Most crossings depart from Strömkajen Quay or Strandvägen in central Stockholm.

Oxhålsbadet is a leafy swimming spot on the island of Stora Essingen in Stockholm. Descend gently down into the water from one of the 3 large jetties with ladders. The jetties also feature seats which make it easy for adults to keep an eye on their kids as they splash around in the water. Buoys mark out the confines of the bathing area for extra safety and peace of mind. The thickly wooded and leafy location makes it easy to find shade on a hot summer's day while the large grassy areas and wooden decks are just perfect for enjoying a picnic. If you decide to spend the day then you can even use the barbecue spots when dinner time rolls around.

The easiest way to arrive is by taking the bus to the Flottbrovägen Stop. From there it's just a 400-metre walk to the water's edge.

Tensta Parkour is located at Nydal Park (Nydalsparken) in the northern suburb of Tensta and is a place where daredevils of all ages can stretch their limbs and test their limits. The park consists of concrete walls of different heights and a large steel frame positioned over a soft rubber surface which offers protection against falls and injury. Newbies and seasoned practitioners alike can enjoy a fun and challenging experience.

To get to Tensta Parkour, take the blue line on the metro to Tensta Station. From there it's just a short 500-metre walk to the park.

A kayak adventure in the Stockholm Archipelago can make for both a relaxing and challenging way to spend the day. The range of different natural environments out in the archipelago is broad, all depending on where you choose to paddle. Experience everything from tranquil bays and living history through to islands, caves, bare islets and raging waves.

There are many different companies offering kayak rentals in the archipelago and you can choose whether you want to paddle yourself or go out with a guide. If you're not much of an oarsman, then you may want to opt for a guided trip with lunch or a snack. Or if you decide on a longer, self-guided trip, make sure you have all the right equipment, check the weather forecast and book your accommodation in advance. That way your trip is guaranteed to become a memory you'll cherish for life.

The Mountain Biking School (Mountainbikeskolan) in the northern Nacka district of Hellas is the place to go if you want to feel your pulse race and the wind in your hair. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned cyclist, you will be guaranteed a challenge, and if you want to improve your skills even further you can avail of private lessons or sign up to a group course. The school offers special classes for women as well as their popular Sunday Cycle and Breakfast concept. The entire area around the school is simply teeming with fantastic trails while the garden café makes for the perfect place to kick back and recharge after an afternoon of pure adrenaline.

The Mountain Biking School is located close to the gorgeous Källtorp Lake, just 15 minutes from Slussen by bus or car. It is also easily reached by bike in around about half an hour.

The Lovö Trail is a great way to experience different types of nature, to feel the pulse of history at ancient monuments and to bask in the glow of royalty. The trails runs through a historic landscape full of pine woods, meadows, fields, country estates and ancient ruins. The lustre of royalty comes from the fact that the trail begins with a stroll through the Drottningholm Palace Park (Drottningholms Slottspark). Although the trail does not have any designated seating areas, you'll find plenty of beautiful spots to stop for a picnic. Simply sit back on a stump or on one of the rocks by Lake Mälaren.

The easiest way to reach the start of the trail is by car or bus. Parking is available at the areas of Karusellplan, Kina Slott, Lunda or Prästvik. If you take the bus, you can get off at the Orangeriet, Kanton or Lovö Edeby stops.

The Björnö Nature Reserve is a real paradise for anybody who likes spending time in nature. You'll find hiking trails which wind through leafy forests and over meadows, passing by gardens and craggy rocks and providing access to a great bathing spot with a sandy beach, jetty, rocks and a snorkelling route. There is also an educational trail for kids with informational signs about the forest. In the middle of the peninsula lies a genuine archipelago farmstead with both grazing livestock and hay harvesting. Or if you want to soak up some incredible views over the bays of Ingarö and Nämdö, visit the viewing tower at Småängsuddarna.

The Björnö Nature Reserve can be easily reached from Slussen in the city centre either by car or by bus. It is also easy to reach with your own boat which you can berth at one of the many natural harbours.

Fishing in the archipelago is both an exciting and relaxing way to spend the day. The wide variation of the archipelago means there will always be a certain species to catch and technique to use, no matter the weather, the wind or the time of the year. Try your hand at bait casting, fly fishing, angling, trolling and ice fishing and catch yourself some sea trout, pike, pike-perch, perch, cod and salmon.

If you go out on a guided fishing trip you can rest assured that you will get the best possible guidance and assistance to catch a fish on your hook. The boats are almost always fully equipped with first-class fishing gear. Life vests and often flotation suits are provided as standard. Many guides offer both short half-day excursions and full-day outings which include lunch and a coffee break.

The Sörmland Trail is a 620-mile-long hiking trail which snakes through a historic area replete with wide open landscapes and alluring forests, past glimmering lakes and fantastic stretches of coastline. Along the way, you will also pass by cultural monuments, signposts with information about the various different sights and even a few small villages and towns. You'll find many well-kempt picnic spots along the way, often with fire pits and sometimes wooden shelters where you can tuck in for the night. The trail includes both more difficult stages and areas which are suitable for a leisurely stroll.

Reaching the trail head is easy – simply hop on the metro and get off at Björkhagen Station. However, there are many other spots where you can come on and off the trail and parking is available at most of them.

Stockholm offers many opportunities to try your hand at cross country skiing when the winter weather is at its best. Täby, Ågesta Friluftsgård in Huddinge and Rudans Friluftsgård in Haninge all offer shorter artificial trails which can be used in all weather conditions and many miles of prepared trails which are open when there is enough natural snow on the ground. Both Täby Konstsnöspår and Ursviks Motionsområde offer fun ski play areas with ski-cross tracks for kids, while Ågesta Friluftsgård and Rudans Friluftsgård offer the possibility to go skiing on well-lit trails.

All of the different centres can be easily reached either by car or by public transport. Täby Konstsnöspår and Ågesta Friluftsgård are both easiest to reach by bus while Rudans Friluftsgård is located right next to the commuter station Haninge C. Ursviks Motionsområde, on the other hand, is located in the neighbouring municipality of Sundbyberg and can be reached by metro and a short 10-minute walk.